Past projects 6
Loved to Death
Funded Nov 11, 2024The photos you are looking at tell the story of your donation impact.
Two of my 'recess regulars' notice me unpacking new books and immediately jumped in to help. Almost every book they pulled out of the box was met with, "Oh, I want to read this one!" So much love and excitement for the new arrivals.
The next photo is what was left of the current series in our library, compared to the new, beautiful replacements. Three copies left tattered, torn, and heavily repaired. A fresh, intact series of our most popular graphic novel is now on the shelves.
The final two pictures are the before & after shots. After processing the books, I put them on the cart. Two classes came through and you can see what was left! Not much and most of those were gone the next day...
The impact is very clear and we thank you for investing in the library.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Burwell
Library Exploration Tools
Funded Sep 3, 2024Attached you will find several pictures highlighting the impact of your donation. As you can see, these items are well received in both schools!
The book tally is updated weekly and students are always curious about how many books are being checked out. I honestly believe this inspires them to thoughtfully add to the tally.
The solar system model is quite a hit, too. These kids are so ingenious. When you put the card in the sun, it's supposed to reflect the sky on the ceiling. Well, my library ceilings are way too high to see the reflection so the kids found a small white board to hold close to the sun so they could see the projection as they listened. One of my special education students comes in and pushes the planet buttons and repeats the planets to me. Progress!
Of course, the biggest hit is the Lego wall! Students work together to build amazing things. The solitary boy in the picture was unable to stay in class due to some behavior issues, but gladly came into the library and worked for at least 30 minutes undisturbed. A record for him!
These gifts are making a definite difference in both schools....”
With gratitude,
Ms. Burwell
Faster Learners!
Funded Feb 29, 2024My apologies for this late thank you! These books are so wonderful and have been used quite a bit this spring. Most of our dual language learners are very shy and not at all confident with speaking English. They have quickly found the non-English section of our library and are very excited to check these books out. I wish you could see how they return the books. They very quietly bring them to me and ask, "More please?" Such an eagerness to learn....
Our dual language library is growing slowly and donors like you are greatly appreciated. Immigrant children at my school want to learn English quickly and they are willing to work hard to do it. Thank you so much for your generosity and know that it truly does make a difference.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Burwell
Reading + Voting = Success
Funded Oct 22, 2021These books have been a big success in both of my schools! Each time I focus on one of these books, approximately 300 students hear it. Most of these titles are books that reinforce what teachers are teaching in their classrooms. Some of the non-fiction titles have sparked lively conversations about animal crossings in other countries and I found that a lot of kids know about pangolins! Who knew???
I usually show the books on a projector so we can socially distance. It's so funny because after I've read the story, my students get SO excited when they see the actual book on the shelf. I have a hard time keeping them on the shelves.
One last piece: every story we read is posted on the wall so we can vote on our favorites in May.
This project has been so popular with both students and teachers that I plan to do it again next year :-)”
With gratitude,
Ms. Burwell
This classroom project was brought to life by Dollar General Literacy Foundation and 6 other donors.Making Money Sense
Funded Aug 17, 2021What do you do with a fifth grader who tells you to shut up the first time you have him in library? You find out what makes him tick!
This bright, kind, charismatic young man started off in library on the wrong foot, trying to impress the girls. In speaking with his mother, I learned he runs several businesses during the summer. Perfect opportunity for him to be a leader at school teaching others how to manage money. After he and I got on the right track, I asked him to be a mentor with the game Allowance, and to teach the rest of the fifth grade money skills.
I'm happy to report that this opportunity has made a huge difference for him. He now brings four other students to the library for the last half hour of every Friday and teaches them the game. They have a blast and his next project is to work with younger students and use the game cards and light up pens to teach money basics.
This has been a huge success and we are so grateful for your support!!!”
With gratitude,
Ms. Burwell
This classroom project was brought to life by Charles Schwab and 6 other donors.Sink Into a Good Book!
Funded Aug 12, 2021These bean bags are a huge hit in the library. Due to covid, I can only have one student on a bag at a time, however, as you can see from the pictures, sometimes that is not happening. I LOVE the pictures of the three boys on their bean bags. At first, they were three feet apart, but soon their love of sharing inched their bean bags closer together until they were practically one - LOL.
The picture of the two girls on one shows some sisterly love. These two come in after school every day and like to read together.
The picture of the young boy looking at the camera was taken after he said, "Can you send a picture to my Mom and show her I got to read in the bean bag today?" Mom was elated to see this.
So..... these gifts are much more than mere bean bags. They are love, sharing, and friendship. Rest assured they will be loved even more once we can get the pandemic under control and be close again.”
With gratitude,
Ms. Burwell
This classroom project was brought to life by Bill Gates and 7 other donors.